Franz Ferdinand is back (as if they ever left) and they have a new album coming out on the 27th of January. The disc is entitled “Tonight”, and embodies the feelings that come from a night time of elation and debauchery according to Kapranos and company. The new disc shows off the bands progression; the guitars are less brash, the bass funkiness is cranked up and keyboards add to the slinky grooves of each song. This song unabashedly activates some of those latent disco tendencies that Franz have been flirting with since their smash hit self titled album in 2004. Don’t think for a second that this album has a neutered sound, there is more swagger on “Tonight” than perhaps anything else they’ve done.
There’s always been an air of class and timelessness in the world that they create musically. Even when they delve into darker themes, there’s a quirky nobility that oozes out of Kapranos’ croon, which was addictive on their first album and I think wore somewhat thin on their second album “You Could Have It So Much Better”. On “Tonight”, there’s a clash between the idealized world of that the Franz crew has created and reality. This comes out in songs like “Ulysses”, where singer Kapranos mumbles about whether or not he is Ulysses and where his next high is coming from. A little dirtier and muddled than their usual polished sound, but not too off the mark for the subject of one of their songs, it’s the tone that differs more. The tone is more like a combination of their previous sound and the dancier songs of The Kills from their recent “Midnight Boom” album. One song even abandons guitar totally for several minutes and focuses on a full out bass synth assault. Franz Ferdinand have added some danger to their sound and it’s just what the doctor ordered. The flurry of funk from song to song will have you reeling, like a night out free of responsibity, not totally aware of what’s happening, but focusing on any and all opportunities to keep the party going and chasing them until they end. If you have Franz Ferdinand’s “Tonight” as your guide you might find yourself still partying even as the sun comes up.
Franz Ferdinand – Outsiders (Isolee Remix)
Franz Ferdinand – Ulysses (Mr. Vega Extended Mix)
Franz Ferdinand – Ulysses (Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve Remix)
There’s also an excellent remix of “No You Girls” over at We Like It Indie.
Listen to “Tonight” @ Franz Ferdinand’s Myspace
